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BTAdler20210919.xml
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<TEI xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0">
<teiHeader>
<fileDesc>
<titleStmt>
<title><persName xml:id="recogito-be8535af-1af8-4169-9717-6d69a9caee34"
>Benjamin</persName> of Tudela</title>
</titleStmt>
<publicationStmt>
<p>Publication Information</p>
</publicationStmt>
<sourceDesc>
<p/>
</sourceDesc>
</fileDesc>
</teiHeader>
<text>
<front>
<head> THE ITINERARY OF <persName xml:id="recogito-9ea93359-2c2c-4427-a28b-55a60927450d"
>BENJAMIN</persName> OF TUDELA. </head>
<head>HEBREW INTRODUCTION. </head>
<ab> This is the book of travels, which was compiled by <persName
>Rabbi Benjamin</persName>,
the son of <persName xml:id="recogito-b100b332-712d-42ff-95b3-33d9de17339c"
>Jonah</persName>, of the land of <placeName xml:id="temp9001"
>Navarre</placeName>--his repose be in Paradise. The said <persName
>Rabbi Benjamin</persName>
set forth from <placeName xml:id="temp9002"
>Tudela</placeName>, his native city, and passed through many remote countries,
as is related in his book. In every place which he entered, he made a record of all
that he saw, or was told of by trustworthy persons--matters not previously heard of
in the land of <placeName xml:id="temp9003">Sepharad</placeName><note n="1"/>. Also he
mentions some of the sages and illustrious men residing in each place. He brought
this book with him on his return to the country of <placeName xml:id="temp9004"
>Castile</placeName>, in the year 4933 <gloss>C.E. 1173</gloss><note n="2"/>. The said
<persName xml:id="recogito-992314b8-8925-4bb6-b5f0-b4d8f1a99025">Rabbi
Benjamin</persName> is a wise and understanding man, learned in the Law and the
Halacha, and wherever we have tested his statements we have found them accurate,
true to fact and consistent; for he is a trustworthy man. <pb n="1"/> His book
commences as follows:</ab>
</front>
<body>
<ab/>
<ab xml:id="GeoNar1"><seg xml:id="GN1S1">--I journeyed first from my native town to the
city of <placeName xml:id="temp0001" >Saragossa</placeName><note n="3"
/>, and thence by way of the River <placeName xml:id="temp0002"
>Ebro</placeName> to <placeName xml:id="temp0003"
>Tortosa</placeName>.</seg><seg xml:id="GN1S2"> From there I went a journey
of two days to the ancient city of <placeName xml:id="temp0004"
>Tarragona</placeName> with its Cyclopean and Greek buildings<note n="4"/>.
The like thereof is not found among any of the buildings in the country of
<placeName xml:id="temp0005" >Sepharad</placeName>. It is situated
by the sea,</seg><seg xml:id="GN1S3"> and two days' journey from the city of
<placeName xml:id="temp0006" >Barcelona</placeName>, where there is
a holy congregation, including sages, wise and illustrious men, such as
<persName xml:id="recogito-3997c9e0-e573-4dbe-8560-cbf0affd23c3">R.
Shesheth</persName><note n="5"/>, <persName
>R.
Shealtiel</persName>, <persName
>R. Solomon</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-b226029e-3a95-461e-961d-cb76f2dae715">R.
Abraham</persName>, son of <persName
>Chisdai</persName>.
This is a small city and beautiful, lying upon the sea-coast. <pb n="2"/>
Merchants come thither from all quarters with their wares, from <placeName
xml:id="temp0007" >Greece</placeName>, from <placeName
xml:id="temp0008" >Pisa</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0009"
>Genoa</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0010"
>Sicily</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0011"
>Alexandria</placeName> in <placeName xml:id="temp0012"
>Egypt</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0013"
>Palestine</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0014" >Africa</placeName> and
all its coasts.</seg><seg xml:id="GN1S4"> Thence it is a day and a half to
<placeName xml:id="temp0015" >Gerona</placeName>, in which there
is a small congregation of Jews<note n="6"/>. </seg><seg xml:id="GN1S5">A three
days'journey takes one to <placeName xml:id="temp0016"
>Narbonne</placeName>, which is a city preeminent for learning; thence the
Torah <gloss>Law</gloss> goes forth to all countries. Sages, and great and illustrious men
abide here. At their head is <persName
>R.
Kalonymos</persName>, the son of the great and illustrious <persName
>R. Todros</persName> of
the seed of David, whose pedigree is established. He possesses hereditaments and
lands given him by the ruler of the city, of which no man can forcibly
dispossess him<note n="7"/>. Prominent in the community is <persName
>R
Abraham</persName><note n="8"/>, head of the Academy: also <persName
>R. Machir</persName>
and <persName xml:id="recogito-7d97cb88-339c-4b8e-88ef-335cf004f9a9">R.
Judah</persName>, and many other distinguished scholars. At the present day
300 Jews are there. </seg><seg xml:id="GN1S6"> Thence it is four parasangs<note
n="9"/> to the city of <placeName xml:id="temp0017"
>Beziers</placeName>, where there is a congregation of learned men. At their
head is <persName xml:id="recogito-fa4162ba-df1d-4a3b-97bc-5b113428eaaa">R.
Solomon Chalafta</persName>, <persName
>R Joseph</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-48468946-58be-4a32-9c26-824c51abb29d">R.
Nethanel</persName>.</seg><seg xml:id="GN1S7"> Thence it is two days to Har
Gaash which is called <placeName xml:id="temp0019"
>Montpellier</placeName>. This is a place well situated for commerce. <pb
n="3"/> It is about a parasang from the sea, and men come for business there
from all quarters, from Edom, Ishmael, the land of <placeName xml:id="temp0020"
>Algarve</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0021"
>Lombardy</placeName>, the dominion of <placeName xml:id="temp0022"
>Rome</placeName> the Great, from all the land of <placeName
xml:id="temp0023" >Egypt</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0024"
>Palestine</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0025"
>Greece</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0026"
>France</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0027">Asia</placeName> and
<placeName xml:id="temp0029" >England</placeName>. People of all
nations are found there doing business through the medium of the Genoese and
Pisans. In the city there are scholars of great eminence, at their head being
<persName xml:id="recogito-53080b53-1494-40e5-87ac-9799a36fd4af">R.
Reuben</persName>, son of <persName
>Todros</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-141a099b-5acb-4672-973d-4738e3918cfe">R.
Nathan</persName>, son of <persName
>Zechariah</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-e4309d75-578a-4228-90d4-21eed1af5c19">R.
Samuel</persName>, their chief rabbi, also <persName
>R. Solomon</persName>
and <persName xml:id="recogito-26827474-c7c1-4b4d-88b5-2c2765f490ac">R.
Mordecai</persName>. They have among them houses of learning devoted to the
study of the Talmud. Among the community are men both rich and charitable, who
lend a helping hand to all that come to them. </seg><seg xml:id="GN1S8"> From
<placeName xml:id="recogito-63527933-196a-4d3f-temp0019bb52-4cd9cd8cb316"
>Montpellier</placeName> it is four parasangs to <placeName xml:id="temp0030"
>Lunel</placeName>, in which there is a congregation of
Israelites, who study the Law day and night. Here lived <persName
>Rabbenu
Meshullam</persName> the great rabbi, since deceased, and his five sons, who
are wise, great and wealthy, namely: <persName
>R. Joseph</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-7d83c116-2e3e-406d-b917-10f31713849b">R.
Isaac</persName>, <persName
>R. Jacob</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-69410715-e461-4412-bf68-8629c9f45dd2">R.
Aaron</persName>, and <persName
>R. Asher</persName>,
the recluse, who dwells apart from the world; he pores over his books day and
night, fasts periodically and abstains from all meat<note n="11"/>. <pb n="4"/>
He is a great scholar of the Talmud. At <placeName xml:id="temp0031">Lunel</placeName> live
also their brother-in-law <persName
>R. Moses</persName>,
the chief rabbi, <persName xml:id="recogito-f61dfc0b-4e36-404e-b602-80e55589e532"
>R. Samuel</persName> the elder<note n="12"/>, <persName
>R. Ulsarnu</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-72494e14-c297-4bc7-bcb5-d502a36d8b3e">R. Solomon
Hacohen</persName>, and <persName
>R. Judah the
Physician</persName>, the son of <persName
>Tibbon</persName>, the
Sephardi. The students that come from distant lands to learn the Law are taught,
boarded, lodged and clothed by the congregation, so long as they attend the
house of study. The community has wise, understanding and saintly men of great
benevolence, who lend a helping hand to all their brethren both far and near.
The congregation consists of about 300 Jews--may the Lord preserve them.
</seg><seg xml:id="GN1S9"> From there it is two parasangs to <placeName
xml:id="temp0032" >Posquières</placeName>, which is a large place
containing about forty Jews, with an Academy under the auspices of the great
Rabbi, <persName xml:id="recogito-e82edf47-7ba1-4add-a391-a647f3189613">R.
Abraham</persName>, son of David, of blessed memory, an energetic and wise
man, great as a talmudical authority<note n="13"/>. People come to him from a
distance to learn the Law at his lips, and they find rest in his house, and he
teaches them. Of those who are without means he also pays the expenses, for he
is very rich. <pb n="5"/> The munificent <persName
>R. Joseph</persName>,
son of <persName xml:id="recogito-b16c9808-da43-4ca5-af72-9d024fd66d11"
>Menachem</persName>, also dwells here, and <persName
>R.
Benveniste</persName>, <persName
>R. Benjamin</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-69c7d297-f519-41d6-bc4d-8d162ae5e64e">R.
Abraham</persName> and <persName
>R. Isaac</persName>,
son of <persName xml:id="recogito-e3650641-4c9d-4d88-87c2-9952ae5395b8">R.
Meir</persName> of blessed memory. </seg><seg xml:id="GN1S10">Thence it is
four parasangs to the suburb <gloss>Ghetto?</gloss> <placeName xml:id="temp0034"
>Bourg de St. Gilles</placeName>, in which place there are about a hundred
Jews. Wise men abide there; at their head being <persName
>R. Isaac</persName>,
son of <persName xml:id="recogito-bbdea4c6-cf07-48bb-900d-cc1b163f11cf"
>Jacob</persName>, <persName
>R. Abraham</persName>,
son of <persName xml:id="recogito-fcf7cbd2-059f-44c3-a456-5a18f1c20a3c"
>Judah</persName>, <persName
>R. Eleazar</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-c2e96cf5-fa90-4b89-a719-91e6f8839341">R.
Jacob</persName>, <persName
>R. Isaac</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-b3a998be-e7a7-41ac-92c8-97031d9bc274">R.
Moses</persName> and <persName
>R. Jacob</persName>,
son of rabbi <persName xml:id="recogito-b8e995e0-bd79-4cd0-8825-836576cba525"
>Levi</persName> of blessed memory. This is a place of pilgrimage of the
Gentiles who come hither from the ends of the earth. It is only three miles from
the sea, and is situated upon the great River <placeName xml:id="temp0035"
>Rhone</placeName>, which flows through the whole land of
<placeName xml:id="temp0036" >Provence</placeName>. Here dwells
the illustrious <persName xml:id="recogito-aa6d2d1e-c37f-4f7a-80d9-cd36837d919e"
>R. Abba Mari</persName>, son of the late <persName
>R. Isaac</persName>; he
is the bailiff of Count <persName
>Raymond</persName><note
n="14"/>. <pb n="6"/>
</seg><seg xml:id="GN1S11"> Thence it is three parasangs to the city of <placeName
xml:id="temp0037" >Arles</placeName>, which has about 200
Israelites, at their head being <persName
>R. Moses</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-766aeb1f-b21f-49ef-b6e9-8c53df5d2cf2">R.
Tobias</persName>, <persName
>R. Isaiah</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-e4a228a8-7ae3-4d3c-946d-2442909da4b0">R.
Solomon</persName>, the chief rabbi <persName
>R. Nathan</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-110249ad-4e7e-4953-ad04-98ced9efc81e">R. Abba
Mari</persName>, since deceased<note n="15"/>. </seg><seg xml:id="GN1S12">
From there it is two days' journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0038"
>Marseilles</placeName><note n="16"/>, which is a city of princely and wise
citizens, possessing two congregations with about 300 Jews. One congregation
dwells below on the shore by the sea, the other is in the <placeName xml:id="temp0039" >castle</placeName> above. They
form a great academy of learned men, amongst them being <persName
>R. Simeon</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-8b92be0a-b120-45d1-adba-afd5c2419e37">R.
Solomon</persName>, <persName
>R. Isaac</persName>,
son of <persName xml:id="recogito-c924864d-38fd-460e-a303-40f9956a9e25">Abba
Mari</persName><note n="17"/>, <persName
>R. Simeon</persName>,
son of <persName xml:id="recogito-b44c3e6b-9f73-4f2d-b9f3-b7e78d1badd0"
>Antoli</persName>, and <persName
>R. Jacob</persName> his
brother; also <persName xml:id="recogito-693bdc3f-a028-4c38-9984-e130762412dd">R.
Libero</persName>. These persons are at the head of the upper academy. At
the head of the congregation below are <persName
>R. Jacob
Purpis</persName><note n="18"/>, a wealthy man, and <persName
>R. Abraham</persName>,
son of <persName xml:id="recogito-8d9410a6-155c-48b2-8fff-b9416c0d4aa3">R.
Meir</persName>, his son-in-law, and <persName
>R. Isaac</persName>,
son of the late <persName xml:id="recogito-09691504-ebf0-4b4c-a891-7d0a75636b12"
>R. Meir</persName>. It is a very busy city upon the sea-coast. </seg>
<pb n="7"/></ab>
<ab xml:id="GeoNar2">
<seg xml:id="GN2S1"> From <placeName xml:id="temp0040">Marseilles</placeName>
one can take ship and in four days reach <placeName xml:id="temp0041"
>Genoa</placeName>, which is also upon the sea. Here live two Jews,
<persName xml:id="recogito-71bc3035-a350-4510-a2f3-ef31c1867ed6">R.
Samuel</persName>, son of <persName
>Salim</persName>, and
his brother, from the city of <placeName xml:id="temp0042"
>Ceuta</placeName>, both of them good men. The city is surrounded by a wall,
and the inhabitants are not governed by any king, but by judges whom they
appoint at their pleasure. Each householder has a tower to his house, and at
times of strife they fight from the tops of the towers with each other. They
have command of the sea. They build ships which they call galleys, and make
predatory attacks upon Edom and Ishmael<note n="19"/> and the land of <placeName xml:id="temp0043" >Greece</placeName> as
far as <placeName xml:id="recogito-d4f26233-69bf-4877-ad36-8893015818f9"
>Sicily</placeName>, and they bring back to <placeName xml:id="temp0044"
>Genoa</placeName> spoils from all these places. They are
constantly at war with the men of <placeName xml:id="temp0045"
>Pisa</placeName>. Between them and the Pisans there is a distance of two
days' journey. </seg><seg xml:id="GN2S2">
<placeName xml:id="temp0046" >Pisa</placeName> is a very great city,
with about 10,000 turreted houses for battle at times of strife. All its
inhabitants are mighty men. They possess neither king nor prince to govern them,
but only the judges appointed by themselves. In this city are about twenty Jews,
at their head being <persName
>R. Moses</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-744f971c-62cd-4d19-a930-f836a1cb5712">R.
Chayim</persName>, and <persName
>R. Joseph</persName>.
The city is not surrounded by a wall. It is about six miles from the sea; the
river which flows through the city provides it with ingress and egress for
ships. </seg><seg xml:id="GN2S3"> From <placeName xml:id="temp0047">Pisa</placeName> it is
four parasangs to the city of <placeName xml:id="temp0048"
>Lucca</placeName>, which is the beginning of the frontier of <placeName xml:id="temp0049">Lombardy</placeName>.
In the city of <placeName xml:id="recogito-52fa46da-8fd6-41b1-b92c-8c5e8755c0c3"
>Lucca</placeName> are about forty Jews. It is a large place, and at the
head of the Jews are <persName
>R. David</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-01613352-403d-4508-82b0-dbc3b94d580e">R.
Samuel</persName>, and <persName
>R. Jacob</persName>.
<pb n="8"/></seg>
</ab>
<ab xml:id="GeoNar3"><seg xml:id="GN3S1"> Thence it is six days' journey to the great
city of <placeName xml:id="temp0050"
>Rome</placeName>. <placeName xml:id="temp0050b" >Rome</placeName> is the
head of the kingdoms of Christendom, and contains about 200 Jews, who occupy an
honourable position and pay no tribute, and amongst them are officials of the
<persName xml:id="recogito-954bf9aa-98f5-4549-85dd-9ec5918bf41f">Pope
Alexander</persName>, the spiritual head of all Christendom. Great scholars
reside here, at the head of them being <persName
>R. Daniel</persName>,
the chief rabbi, and <persName
>R. Jechiel</persName>,
an official of the Pope<note n="20"/>. He is a handsome young man of
intelligence and wisdom, and he has the entry of the Pope's palace; for he is
the steward of his house and of all that he has. He is a grandson of <persName
>R. Nathan</persName>,
who composed the Aruch<note n="21"/> and its commentaries. Other scholars are
<persName xml:id="recogito-fc6c5f10-668f-4d74-9d18-5e9dbf5f92e2">R.
Joab</persName>, son of the chief rabbi <persName
>R. Solomon</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-45cf17f9-01f1-42d5-8068-4ac93c6ef159">R.
Menachem</persName>, head of the academy, <persName
>R. Jechiel</persName>,
who lives in <placeName xml:id="recogito-f8ca3059-64ef-4a40-8886-8b1912fabce6"
>Trastevere</placeName>, and <persName
>R. Benjamin</persName>,
son of <persName xml:id="recogito-af8fdcc4-42f1-4b00-8ac7-8195a6ab818a">R.
Shabbethai</persName> of blessed memory. <placeName xml:id="temp0051"
>Rome</placeName> is divided into two parts by the River <placeName
xml:id="temp0052">Tiber</placeName>. In the one part is the great church
which they call <placeName xml:id="temp0053">St. Peter's of Rome</placeName>. The
great <placeName xml:id="temp0054" >Palace of Julius
Caesar</placeName> was also in <placeName xml:id="temp0055">Rome</placeName><note
n="22"/>. <pb n="9"/> There are many wonderful structures in the city,
different from any others in the world. Including both its inhabited and ruined
parts, <placeName xml:id="temp0056">Rome</placeName> is about twenty-four
miles in circumference. In the midst thereof<note n="23"/> there are eighty
palaces belonging to eighty kings who lived there, each called Imperator,
commencing from King Tarquinius down to <persName
>Nero</persName> and
<persName xml:id="recogito-04c95222-e4b2-4d8d-8d60-edd38ae886e5"
>Tiberius</persName>, who lived at the time of <persName
>Jesus</persName> the
Nazarene, ending with <persName
>Pepin</persName>, who
freed the land of <placeName xml:id="temp0057" >Sepharad</placeName> from
Islam, and was father of <persName
>Charlemagne</persName>.
There is a <placeName xml:id="temp0058" >palace</placeName> outside <placeName xml:id="temp0059">Rome</placeName> <gloss>said
to be of Titus</gloss>. The Consul and his 300 Senators treated him with disfavour,
because he failed to take <placeName xml:id="temp0060">Jerusalem</placeName> till
after three years, though they had bidden him to capture it within two<note
n="24"/>. In <placeName xml:id="recogito-4a61af5c-dc1f-4ee1-b8fa-9073f8f48d34"
>Rome</placeName> is also the <placeName xml:id="temp0061"
>palace of Vespasianus</placeName>, a great and very strong building; also
the <placeName xml:id="recogito-10806a99-a469-4cad-a39b-2f3c39b95e8b"
>Colosseum</placeName><note n="25"/>, in which edifice there are 365
sections, according to the days of the solar year; and the circumference of
these palaces is three miles. There were battles fought here in olden times, and
in the palace more than 100,000 men were slain, and there their bones remain
piled up to the present day. <pb n="10"/> The king caused to be engraved a
representation of the battle and of the forces on either side facing one
another, both warriors and horses, all in marble, to exhibit to the world the
war of the days of old. In <placeName xml:id="temp0062">Rome</placeName> there
is a <placeName xml:id="temp0063" >cave which runs
underground</placeName>, and <placeName xml:id="temp0064"
>catacombs</placeName> of King <persName
>Tarmal
Galsin</persName> and his royal consort who are to be found there, seated
upon their thrones, and with them about a hundred royal personages. They are all
embalmed and preserved to this day. In the <placeName xml:id="temp0065">church of
St. John in the Lateran</placeName> there are two bronze columns taken from
the Temple, the handiwork of King <persName
>Solomon</persName>,
each column being engraved "Solomon the son of David." The Jews of <placeName xml:id="temp0066">Rome</placeName> told
me that every year upon the 9th of Ab they found the columns exuding moisture
like water. There also is the <placeName xml:id="temp0067" >cave</placeName> where Titus the son of Vespasianus stored the
Temple vessels which he brought from <placeName xml:id="temp0068"
>Jerusalem</placeName>. There is also a <placeName xml:id="temp0069" >cave</placeName> in a hill on one bank of the
River <placeName xml:id="temp0070">Tiber</placeName> where are the graves of the
ten martyrs<note n="26"/>. <pb n="11"/> In front of <placeName
xml:id="temp0071"
>St. John in the
Lateran</placeName> there are statues of Samson in marble, with a spear in
his hand, and of Absalom the son of King David, and another of Constantinus the
Great, who built <placeName xml:id="temp0073">Constantinople</placeName> and
after whom it was called. The last-named statue is of bronze, the horse being
overlaid with gold<note n="27"/>. Many other edifices are there, and remarkable
sights beyond enumeration.</seg>
</ab>
<ab xml:id="GeoNar4">
<seg xml:id="GN4S1"> From <placeName xml:id="temp0076"
>Rome</placeName> it is four days to <placeName xml:id="temp0077"
>Capua</placeName>, the large town which King Capys built. It is
a fine city, but its water is bad, and the country is fever-stricken<note n="28"
/>. About 300 Jews live there, among them great scholars and esteemed persons,
at their heads being <persName
>R. Conso</persName>,
his brother <persName xml:id="recogito-754318dc-9ca5-4c87-b557-3b718d1123d4">R.
Israel</persName>, <persName
>R. Zaken</persName> and
the chief rabbi <persName xml:id="recogito-9988a1fb-f95b-4692-8f35-1f37111468a5"
>R. David</persName>, since deceased. They call this district the
Principality. </seg>
<seg xml:id="GN4S2">From there one goes to <placeName xml:id="temp0078"
>Pozzuoli</placeName> which is called <placeName xml:id="temp0079"
>Sorrento</placeName> the Great, built by <persName
>Zur</persName>, son of
<persName xml:id="recogito-e55be608-23b5-40cd-9758-ac3733086a93"
>Hadadezer</persName>, when he fled in fear of David the king. The sea has
risen and covered the city from its two sides, and at the present day one can
still see the markets and towers which stood in the midst of the city<note
n="29"/>. <pb n="12"/> A spring issues forth from beneath the ground
containing the oil which is called petroleum. People collect it from the surface
of the water and use it medicinally. There are also hot-water springs to the
number of about twenty, which issue from the ground and are situated near the
sea, and every man who has any disease can go and bathe in them and get cured.
All the afflicted of <placeName xml:id="temp0080"
>Lombardy</placeName> visit it in the summer-time for that purpose. </seg>
<seg xml:id="GN4S3">From this place a man can travel fifteen miles along a road
under the mountains, a work executed by King <persName
>Romulus</persName> who
built the city of <placeName xml:id="temp0081" >Rome</placeName>. He
was prompted to this by fear of King David and <persName
>Joab</persName> his
general<note n="30"/>. He built fortifications both upon the mountains and
below the mountains reaching as far as the city of <placeName xml:id="temp0081b"
>Naples</placeName>. <placeName xml:id="temp0082"
>Naples</placeName> is a very strong city, lying upon the sea-board, and was
founded by the Greeks. About 500 Jews live here, amongst them <persName
>R. Hezekiah</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-a2b94951-d9d2-49f2-b706-71e02c2bc11b">R.
Shallum</persName>, <persName
>R. Elijah
Hacohen</persName> and <persName
>R. Isaac of Har
Napus</persName>, the chief rabbi of blessed memory.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN4S4">Thence one proceeds by sea to the city of <placeName
xml:id="temp0083" >Salerno</placeName>, where the Christians have
a school of medicine. About 600 Jews dwell there. <pb n="13"/> Among the
scholars are <persName xml:id="recogito-5ac27e72-d766-49bd-bc56-4f56e7ca9385">R.
Judah</persName>, son of <persName
>R. Isaac</persName>,
the son of <persName xml:id="recogito-6288f733-f85b-41b2-b40b-3bb8e3290437"
>Melchizedek</persName>, the great Rabbi<note n="31"/>, who came from the
city of <placeName xml:id="temp0084" >Siponto</placeName>; also
<persName xml:id="recogito-35008ca2-01ed-4240-beff-5108ffeb7b0b">R.
Solomon <gloss>the Cohen</gloss></persName>, <persName
>R. Elijah</persName>
the Greek, <persName xml:id="recogito-96c710d6-c163-4b89-8313-c50f0c37a923">R.
Abraham Narboni</persName>, and <persName
>R. Hamon</persName>. It
is a city with walls upon the land side, the other side bordering on the sea and
there is a very strong castle on the summit of the hill.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN4S5">Thence it is half a day's journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0085"
>Amalfi</placeName>, where there are about twenty Jews, amongst
them <persName xml:id="recogito-396c6f00-efc5-42a3-b34f-c6957508a2cc">R.
Hananel</persName>, the physician, <persName
>R. Elisha</persName>,
and Abu-al-gir, the prince. The inhabitants of the place are merchants engaged
in trade, who do not sow or reap, because they dwell upon high hills and lofty
crags, but buy everything for money. Nevertheless, they have an abundance of
fruit, for it is a land of vineyards and olives, of gardens and plantations, and
no one can go to war with them.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN4S6"> Thence it is a day's journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0086"
>Benevento</placeName>, which is a city situated between the
sea-coast and a mountain, and possessing a community of about 200 Jews. At their
head are <persName xml:id="recogito-de8beb38-7da3-4905-b5a3-52a2462ff84e">R.
Kalonymus</persName>, <persName
>R. Zarach</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-260771f0-7fd8-439a-a7ea-a3c853044548">R.
Abraham</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN4S7">From there it is two days' journey to <placeName
xml:id="temp0087" >Melfi</placeName> in the country of
<placeName xml:id="temp0088" >Apulia</placeName>, which is the
land of <placeName xml:id="temp0089" >Pul</placeName><note n="32"/>, where about 200 Jews reside, at their head being
<persName xml:id="recogito-57cdf8e0-233f-4e73-8f94-35a2092e90f8">R.
Achimaaz</persName>, <persName
>R. Nathan</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-c3987edc-2f8a-4ffd-84e4-16885f642973">R.
Isaac</persName>. <pb n="14"/></seg><seg xml:id="GN4S8"> From <placeName xml:id="temp0090"
>Melfi</placeName> it is about a day's journey to <placeName
xml:id="temp0091" >Ascoli</placeName>, where there are about
forty Jews, at their head being <persName
>R. Consoli</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-151091c3-9989-4429-b8fd-b7b831e6707b">R.
Zemach</persName>, his son-in-law, and <persName
>R.
Joseph</persName>.</seg><seg xml:id="GN4S9"> From there it takes two days to
<placeName xml:id="temp0092" >Trani</placeName> on the sea, where
all the pilgrims gather to go to <placeName xml:id="temp0093"
>Jerusalem</placeName>; for the port is a convenient one. A community of
about 200 Israelites is there, at their head being <persName
>R. Elijah</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-81dd4569-384a-486d-a1a2-3db80fe856e1">R.
Nathan</persName>, the expounder, and <persName
>R. Jacob</persName>. It
is a great and beautiful city.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN4S10">From there it is a day's journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0094"
>Colo di Bari</placeName>, which is the great city which King
<persName xml:id="d1e1887"
>William</persName> of
<placeName xml:id="recogito-8a4d6131-4b0c-490e-bf42-62daf2a574ca"
>Sicily</placeName> destroyed<note n="33"/>. Neither Jews nor Gentiles live
there at the present day in consequence of its destruction.</seg><seg
xml:id="GN4S11"> Thence it is a day and a half to <placeName xml:id="temp0095"
>Taranto</placeName>, which is under the government of
<placeName xml:id="temp0096" >Calabria</placeName>, the
inhabitants of which are Greek<note n="34"/>. It is a large city, and contains
about 300 Jews, some of them men of learning, and at their head are <persName
>R. Meir</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-bd82bef1-680c-4433-a838-67ffc36932ee">R.
Nathan</persName>, and <persName
>R.
Israel</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN4S12">From <placeName xml:id="temp0097"
>Taranto</placeName> it is a day's journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0098"
>Brindisi</placeName>, which is on the sea coast. <pb n="15"/>
About ten Jews, who are dyers, reside here.</seg>
</ab>
<ab xml:id="GeoNar5"><seg xml:id="GN5S1">It is two days' journey to <placeName
xml:id="temp0099" >Otranto</placeName>, which is on the coast of
the Greek sea. Here are about 500 Jews, at the head of them being <persName
>R. Menachem</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-7b266dd2-4b25-4043-b5d7-024f8e4b3b26">R.
Caleb</persName>, <persName
>R. Meir</persName>, and
<persName xml:id="recogito-01c80aa3-e5f5-4d9b-8239-6723623ec1e5">R.
Mali</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S2">From <placeName xml:id="temp0101"
>Otranto</placeName> it is a voyage of two days to <placeName
xml:id="temp0102" >Corfu</placeName>, where only one Jew of the
name of <persName xml:id="recogito-069edffa-cf8d-41d2-9860-715ac7f57314">R.
Joseph</persName> lives, and here ends the kingdom of <placeName xml:id="temp0103">Sicily</placeName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S3">Thence it is two days' voyage to the land of <placeName
xml:id="temp0104">Larta <gloss>Arta</gloss></placeName>, which is the beginning of the dominions of <persName
>Emanuel</persName>,
Sovereign of the Greeks. It is a place containing about 100 Jews, at their head
being <persName xml:id="recogito-16507f57-601a-4fa0-a3e7-b025ccabc606">R.
Shelachiah</persName> and <persName
>R.
Hercules</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S4">From there it is two days to <placeName xml:id="temp0105">Aphilon
<gloss>Achelous</gloss></placeName><note n="35"/>, a place in which reside about thirty
Jews, at their head being <persName
>R.
Sabbattai</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S5">From there it takes half a day to <placeName xml:id="temp0106"
>Anatolica</placeName>, which is situated on an arm of the
sea<note n="36"/>. </seg><seg xml:id="GN5S6"> From there it takes a day to
<placeName xml:id="temp0107" >Patras</placeName>, which is the
city which <persName xml:id="recogito-2342303a-04f5-4504-9cbf-4004e9d41fac"
>Antipater</persName><note n="37"/>, King of the Greeks, built. He was one
of the four successors of King <persName
>Alexander</persName>.
<pb n="16"/> In the city there are several large old buildings, and about
fifty Jews live here, at their head being <persName
>R. Isaac</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-b520269a-5f64-4448-b05a-5fe50c973b51">R.
Jacob</persName>, and <persName
>R.
Samuel</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S7">Half a day's journey by way of the sea takes one to <placeName
xml:id="temp0108" >Kifto <gloss>Lepanto</gloss></placeName><note n="38"/>,
where there are about 100 Jews, who live on the sea-coast; at their head are
<persName xml:id="recogito-0fa1e256-2305-419b-a1ba-a960871f0d74">R.
Guri</persName>, <persName
>R. Shallum</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-66622107-afd4-4900-95c5-7d376eb87334">R.
Abraham</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S8">From there it is a journey of a day and a half to <placeName
xml:id="temp0109" >Crissa</placeName>, where about 200 Jews
live apart. They sow and reap on their own land; at their head are <persName
>R. Solomon</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-0216496f-a133-4801-ad69-9e92d6c70c5d">R.
Chayim</persName>, and <persName
>R.
Jedaiah</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S9">From there it is three days' journey to the capital city of
<placeName xml:id="temp0111" >Corinth</placeName>; here are
about 300 Jews, at their head being <persName
>R. Leon</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-422a9b00-3b8f-47da-9653-9f997bea07aa">R.
Jacob</persName>, and <persName
>R.
Hezekiah</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S10">Thence it is two days' journey to the great city of <placeName
xml:id="temp0112" >Thebes</placeName>, where there are about
2,000 Jews. They are the most skilled artificers in silk and purple cloth
throughout <placeName xml:id="temp0113" >Greece</placeName>. They
have scholars learned in the Mishnah and the Talmud, and other prominent men,
and at their head are the chief rabbi <persName
>R. Kuti</persName> and
his brother <persName xml:id="recogito-f14f2bfa-843d-419e-a0ae-0a60a0f27a6e">R.
Moses</persName>, as well as <persName
>R. Chiyah</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-d6c88adf-460a-4955-8aab-135ae7fe012c">R. Elijah
Tirutot</persName>, and <persName
>R. Joktan</persName>;
and there are none like them in the land of the Greeks, except in the city of
<placeName xml:id="temp0114" >Constantinople</placeName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S11"><pb n="17"/> From <placeName xml:id="temp0115"
>Thebes</placeName> it is a day's journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0116"
>Egripo</placeName><note n="39"/>, which is a large city upon
the sea-coast, where merchants come from every quarter. About 200 Jews live
there, at their head being <persName
>R. Elijah
Psalteri</persName>, <persName
>R. Emanuel</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-54a0ecfd-17e9-4d01-88d0-1c3bb2e1600d">R.
Caleb</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S12">From there it takes a day to <placeName xml:id="temp0117"
>Jabustrisa</placeName>, which is a city upon the sea-coast
with about 100 Jews, at their head being <persName
>R. Joseph</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-d8d5265a-ce56-4298-8756-a5b8b0951538">R.
Elazar</persName>, <persName
>R. Isaac</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-0af6b937-32e9-4bd5-8e84-dc89838b02bb">R.
Samuel</persName>, and <persName
>R.
Nethaniah</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S13"> From there it is a day's journey to <placeName
xml:id="temp0118" >Rabonica</placeName>, where there are about
100 Jews, at their head being <persName
>R. Joseph</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-4bf5e9f7-ff40-4a37-bd53-71dc8bb14e75">R.
Elazar</persName>, and <persName
>R.
Isaac</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S14">From there it is a day's journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0119"
>Sinon Potamo</placeName>, where there are about fifty Jews,
at their head being <persName
>R. Solomon</persName>
and <persName xml:id="recogito-c60b83e0-4074-475f-b852-15871f94b8ec">R.
Jacob</persName>. The city is situated at the foot of the hills of
<placeName xml:id="temp0120" >Wallachia</placeName>. The nation
called Wallachians live in those mountains. They are as swift as hinds, and they
sweep down from the mountains to despoil and ravage the land of <placeName
xml:id="temp0121" >Greece</placeName>. No man can go up and do
battle against them, and no king can rule over them. They do not hold fast to
the faith of the Nazarenes, but give themselves Jewish names. <pb n="18"/> Some
people say that they are Jews, and, in fact, they call the Jews their brethren,
and when they meet with them, though they rob them, they refrain from killing
them as they kill the Greeks. They are altogether lawless<note n="40"/>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S15"> From there it is two days' journey to <placeName
xml:id="temp0122" >Gardiki</placeName>, which is in ruins and
contains but a few Greeks and Jews. </seg><seg xml:id="GN5S16">From there it is
two days' journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0123"
>Armylo</placeName>, which is a large city on the sea, inhabited by
Venetians, Pisans, Genoese, and all the merchants who come there; it is an
extensive place, and contains about 400 Jews. At their head are the chief rabbi
<persName xml:id="recogito-77608112-3a42-4ec2-aa18-31e803397ff5">R. Shiloh
Lombardo</persName>, <persName
>R. Joseph</persName>,
the warden, and <persName xml:id="recogito-0200c629-0784-49e4-bb07-db7054aec047"
>R. Solomon</persName>, the leading man.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S17">Thence it is a day's journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0124"
>Vissena</placeName>, where there are about 100
Jews, at their head being the chief rabbi <persName
>R.
Sabbattai</persName>, <persName
>R. Solomon</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-9f2a8b3f-49fd-4caf-b423-28ff7995cc19">R.
Jacob</persName>. </seg><seg xml:id="GN5S18">From there it is two days'
voyage to the city of <placeName xml:id="temp0125"
>Salonica</placeName>, built by <persName
>King
Seleucus</persName>, one of the four successors who followed after King
<persName xml:id="recogito-ceff955e-8f60-4b6f-b03a-6b54dd93dead"
>Alexander</persName>. It is a very large city, with about 500 Jews,
including the chief rabbi <persName
>R. Samuel</persName>
and his sons, who are scholars. <pb n="19"/> He is appointed by the king as head
of the Jews. There is also <persName
>R.
Sabbattai</persName>, his son-in-law, <persName
>R. Elijah</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-e0a641d7-40fe-4737-84a3-d6a636775e3a">R.
Michael</persName>. The Jews are oppressed, and live by silk-weaving.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S19">Thence it is two days' journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0127"
>Demetrizi</placeName>, with about fifty Jews. In this place
live <persName xml:id="recogito-3a85876d-381a-400f-9a28-c3ed7c4548ee">R.
Isaiah</persName>, <persName
>R. Machir</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-c192a9f0-8ced-45d0-a5ff-166d4794f33f">R.
Alib</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S20">Thence it is two days to <placeName xml:id="temp0128"
>Drama</placeName>, where there are about 140 Jews, at the head
of them being <persName xml:id="recogito-5d05dbb4-06fa-4cac-838f-e72b31853a8e">R.
Michael</persName> and <persName
>R.
Joseph</persName>.</seg><seg xml:id="GN5S21"> From there it is one day's journey
to <placeName xml:id="temp0129" >Christopoli</placeName>, where
about twenty Jews live.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN5S22">A three days' voyage brings one to <placeName xml:id="temp0130"
>Abydos</placeName>, which is upon an arm of the sea which flows
between the mountains, and after a five days' journey the great town of
<placeName xml:id="temp0131" >Constantinople</placeName> is
reached.</seg></ab>
<ab xml:id="GeoNar6">
<seg xml:id="GN6S1">It is the capital of the whole land of <placeName
xml:id="temp0132" >Javan</placeName>, which is called <placeName xml:id="temp0133"
>Greece</placeName>. Here is the residence of the King Emanuel the Emperor.
Twelve ministers are under him, each of whom has a palace in <placeName
xml:id="temp0134" >Constantinople</placeName> and possesses
castles and cities; they rule all the land. At their head is the <persName
>King
Hipparchus</persName>, the second in command is the <persName
>Megas
Domesticus</persName>, the third <persName
>Dominus</persName>, and
the fourth is <persName xml:id="recogito-699c52ba-289b-4d70-837b-256b8b3c8209"
>Megaa Ducas</persName>, and the fifth is <persName
>Oeconomus
Megalus</persName>; the others bear names like these<note n="41"/>. <pb
n="20"/> The circumference of the city of <placeName xml:id="temp0135"
>Constantinople</placeName> is eighteen miles; half of it is
surrounded by the sea, and half by land, and it is situated upon two arms of the
sea, one coming from the <placeName xml:id="temp0136" >sea of Russia</placeName>, and one from the <placeName
xml:id="temp0137">sea of Sepharad</placeName>. All sorts of merchants come
here from the land of <placeName xml:id="temp0138" >Babylon</placeName>,
from the land of <placeName xml:id="temp0139" >Shinar</placeName>,
from <placeName xml:id="temp0141" >Persia</placeName>, <placeName
xml:id="temp0140" >Media</placeName>, and all the sovereignty of
the land of <placeName xml:id="temp0142" >Egypt</placeName>, from the
land of <placeName xml:id="temp0143"
>Canaan</placeName>, and the empire of <placeName xml:id="temp0144"
>Russia</placeName><note n="42"/>, from <placeName xml:id="temp0145"
>Hungaria</placeName>, <placeName xml:id="temp0146"
>Patzinakia</placeName><note n="43"/>, <placeName xml:id="temp0147"
>Khazaria</placeName><note n="44"/>, and the land of
<placeName xml:id="temp0149" >Lombardy</placeName> and
<placeName xml:id="temp0150" >Sepharad</placeName>. It is a busy
city, and merchants come to it from every country by sea or land, and there is
none like it in the world except <placeName xml:id="temp0151"
>Bagdad</placeName>, the great city of Islam. In <placeName xml:id="temp0152"
>Constantinople</placeName> is the <placeName xml:id="temp0153"
>church of Santa Sophia</placeName>, and the seat of the Pope of the Greeks,
since the Greeks do not obey the Pope of <placeName xml:id="temp0154">Rome</placeName>. There
are also churches according to the number of the days of the year. A quantity of
wealth beyond telling is brought hither year by year as tribute from the two
islands and the castles and villages which are there. <pb n="21"/> And the like
of this wealth is not to be found in any other church in the world. And in this
church there are pillars of gold and silver, and lamps of silver and gold more
than a man can count. Close to the walls of the palace is also a place of
amusement belonging to the king, which is called the Hippodrome, and every year
on the anniversary of the birth of <persName
>Jesus</persName> the
king gives a great entertainment there. And in that place men from all the races
of the world come before the king and queen with jugglery and without jugglery,
and they introduce lions, leopards, bears, and wild asses, and they engage them
in combat with one another; and the same thing is done with birds. No
entertainment like this is to be found in any other land. This King <persName
>Emanuel</persName>
built a great palace for the seat of his Government upon the sea-coast, in
addition to the palaces which his fathers built, and he called its name
<placeName xml:id="temp0155" >Blachernae</placeName><note
n="45"/>. He overlaid its columns and walls with gold and silver, and
engraved thereon representations of the battles before his day and of his own
combats. He also set up a throne of gold and of precious stones, and a golden
crown was suspended by a gold chain over the throne, so arranged that he might
sit thereunder<note n="46"/>. <pb n="22"/> It was inlaid with jewels of
priceless value, and at night time no lights were required, for every one could
see by the light which the stones gave forth. Countless other buildings are to
be met with in the city. From every part of the empire of <placeName
xml:id="temp0156" >Greece</placeName> tribute is brought here
every year, and they fill strongholds with garments of silk, purple, and gold.
Like unto these storehouses and this wealth, there is nothing in the whole world
to be found. It is said that the tribute of the city amounts every year to
20,000 gold pieces, derived both from the rents of shops and markets, and from
the tribute of merchants who enter by sea or land. The Greek inhabitants are
very rich in gold and precious stones, and they go clothed in garments of silk
with gold embroidery, and they ride horses, and look like princes. Indeed, the
land is very rich in all cloth stuffs, and in bread, meat, and wine. <pb n="23"
/> Wealth like that of <placeName xml:id="temp0157"
>Constantinople</placeName> is not to be found in the whole world. Here also
are men learned in all the books of the Greeks, and they eat and drink every man
under his vine and his fig-tree. They hire from amongst all nations warriors
called Loazim <gloss>Barbarians</gloss> to fight with the <persName
>Sultan
Masud</persName><note n="47"/>, King of the Togarmim <gloss>Seljuks</gloss>, who are
called Turks; for the natives are not warlike, but are as women who have no
strength to fight. No Jews live in the city, for they have been placed behind an
inlet of the sea. An arm of the <placeName xml:id="temp0158" >sea of
Marmora</placeName> shuts them in on the one side, and they are unable to go
out except by way of the sea, when they want to do business with the
inhabitants<note n="48"/>. In the Jewish quarter are about 2,000 Rabbanite
Jews and about 500 Karaïtes, and a fence divides them. Amongst the scholars are
several wise men, at their head being the chief rabbi <persName
>R. Abtalion</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-7c547fda-7d3c-4aca-938b-d9c34ce3b50f">R.
Obadiah</persName>, <persName
>R. Aaron Bechor
Shoro</persName>, <persName
>R. Joseph
Shir-Guru</persName>, and <persName
>R. Eliakim</persName>,
the warden. And amongst them there are artificers in silk and many rich
merchants. No Jew there is allowed to ride on horseback. <pb n="24"/> The one
exception is <persName xml:id="recogito-e97a6efd-9fc2-4c48-b6d9-eca6520ab033">R.
Solomon Hamitsri</persName>, who is the king's physician, and through whom
the Jews enjoy considerable alleviation of their oppression. For their condition
is very low, and there is much hatred against them, which is fostered by the
tanners, who throw out their dirty water in the streets before the doors of the
Jewish houses and defile the Jews' quarter <gloss>the Ghetto</gloss>. So the Greeks hate the
Jews, good and bad alike, and subject them to great oppression, and beat them in
the streets, and in every way treat them with rigour. Yet the Jews are rich and
good, kindly and charitable, and bear their lot with cheerfulness. The district
inhabited by the Jews is called <placeName xml:id="temp0159"
>Pera</placeName>.</seg></ab>
<ab xml:id="GeoNar7"><seg xml:id="GN7S1"> From <placeName xml:id="temp0160"
>Constantinople</placeName> it is two days' voyage to <placeName
xml:id="temp0161" >Rhaedestus</placeName><note n="49"/>, with a
community of Israelites of about 400, at their head being <persName
>R. Moses</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-6ccde9c3-622b-4b7a-a075-42b4e2038eb9">R.
Abijah</persName>, and <persName
>R.
Jacob</persName>.</seg><seg xml:id="GN7S2"> From there it is two days to
<placeName xml:id="temp0162" >Callipolis
<gloss>Gallipoli</gloss></placeName>, where there are about 200 Jews, at their head being
<persName xml:id="recogito-ef3d6880-7686-424f-9a42-6b85e03f39c7">R. Elijah
Kapur</persName>, <persName
>R. Shabbattai
Zutro</persName>, and <persName
>R. Isaac
Megas</persName>, which means "great" in Greek.</seg><seg xml:id="GN7S3">
And from here it is two days to <placeName xml:id="temp0163"
>Kales</placeName>. <pb n="25"/> Here there are about fifty Jews, at their
head being <persName xml:id="recogito-cb6efb11-315e-4559-a5b4-7e2de8419a72">R.
Jacob</persName> and <persName
>R.
Judah</persName>.</seg><seg xml:id="GN7S4"> From here it is two days' journey to
the island of <placeName xml:id="temp0164" >Mytilene</placeName>,
and there are Jewish congregations in ten localities on the island.</seg><seg
xml:id="GN7S5"> Thence it is three days' voyage to the island of <placeName
xml:id="temp0165" >Chios</placeName>, where there are about 400
Jews, including <persName xml:id="recogito-3964ced5-bd88-48d0-ae72-e635712bd152"
>R. Elijah Heman</persName> and <persName
>R. Shabtha</persName>.
Here grow the trees from which mastic is obtained. </seg><seg xml:id="GN7S6">Two
days' voyage takes one to the island of <placeName xml:id="temp0166"
>Samos</placeName>, where there are 300 Jews, at their head
being <persName xml:id="recogito-e704f362-f0b8-4841-9330-9478ed9828a6">R.
Shemaria</persName>, <persName
>R. Obadiah</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-5c638323-8429-46c1-8ad5-960a10f9f286">R.
Joel</persName>. The islands have many congregations of Jews.</seg><seg
xml:id="GN7S7"> From <placeName xml:id="temp0167"
>Samos</placeName> it is three days to <placeName xml:id="temp0168"
>Rhodes</placeName>, where there are about 400 Jews, at their
head being <persName xml:id="recogito-048961dd-0a50-4fae-8af2-9bd06a44086b">R.
Abba</persName>, <persName
>R. Hannanel</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-dedc0c21-fe14-496e-9981-2a2decdf9834">R.
Elijah</persName>.</seg><seg xml:id="GN7S8"> It is four days' voyage from
here to <placeName xml:id="temp0169" >Cyprus</placeName>, where there
are Rabbanite Jews and Karaïtes; there are also some heretical Jews called
Epikursin, whom the Israelites have excommunicated in all places. They profane
the eve of the sabbath, and observe the first night of the week, which is the
termination of the sabbath<note n="50"/>. </seg><pb n="26"/>
</ab>
<ab xml:id="GeoNar8"><seg xml:id="GN8S1">From <placeName xml:id="temp0170"
>Cyprus</placeName> it is four days' journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0171"
>Curicus <gloss>Kurch</gloss></placeName>, which is the beginning of the
land called <placeName xml:id="temp0172"
>Armenia</placeName>, and this is the frontier of the empire of Thoros<note
n="51"/>, ruler of the mountains, and king of <placeName
xml:id="temp0173" >Armenia</placeName>, whose
dominions extend to the province of <placeName xml:id="temp0174"
>Trunia</placeName><note n="52"/>, and to the country of the Togarmim or
Turks.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN8S2"> From there it is two days' journey to <placeName
xml:id="temp0175" >Malmistras</placeName>, which is <placeName
xml:id="temp0176" >Tarshish</placeName>, situated by the sea; and
thus far extends the kingdom of the Javanim or Greeks<note n="53"/>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN8S3">Thence it is two days' journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0177"
>Antioch the Great</placeName>, situated on the river
<placeName xml:id="temp0178" >Fur <gloss>Orontes</gloss></placeName>, which is
the river <placeName xml:id="temp0179" >Jabbok</placeName>, that flows
from <placeName xml:id="temp0180" >Mount Lebanon</placeName> and
from the land of <placeName xml:id="temp0181"
>Hamath</placeName><note n="54"/>. This is the great city which <persName
>Antiochus</persName>
the king built. The city lies by a lofty mountain, which is surrounded by the
city-wall. At the top of the mountain is a well, from which a man appointed for
that purpose directs the water by means of twenty subterranean passages to the
houses of the great men of the city. The other part of the city is surrounded by
the river. It is a strongly fortified city, and is under the sway of Prince
<persName xml:id="recogito-694cd3dc-0b83-4d61-bafe-a4f802a4000b">Boemond
Poitevin</persName><note n="55"/>, surnamed <persName
>le Baube</persName>.
Ten Jews<note n="56"/> dwell here, engaged in glass-making, and at their head
are <persName xml:id="recogito-f82af3e9-4101-41e5-a6a2-df38deda7dc2">R.
Mordecai</persName>, <persName
>R. Chayim</persName>,
and <persName xml:id="recogito-9a79982f-0b1b-4c32-9dc9-fccca60c9644">R.
Samuel</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN8S4"><pb n="27"/> From here it is two days' journey to <placeName
xml:id="temp0182" >Lega</placeName>, or <placeName
xml:id="temp0183" >Ladikiya</placeName>, where there are about
100 Jews, at their head being <persName
>R. Chayim</persName>
and <persName xml:id="recogito-4cd87cee-aed5-46e5-99cd-aa27a2277014">R.
Joseph</persName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN8S5">Thence it is two days' journey to <placeName xml:id="temp0184"
>Gebal <gloss>Gebela</gloss></placeName>, which is <placeName
xml:id="temp0185" >Baal-Gad</placeName>, at the foot of
<placeName xml:id="temp0186" >Lebanon</placeName><note n="57"/>.
In the neighbourhood dwells a people called Al-Hashishim<note n="58"/>. They do
not believe in the religion of Islam, but follow one of their own folk, whom
they regard as their prophet, and all that he tells them to do they carry out,
whether for death or life. They call him the <persName
>Sheik Al
Hashishim</persName>, and he is known as their Elder. At his word these
mountaineers go out and come in.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN8S6">Their principal seat is <placeName xml:id="temp0187"
>Kadmus</placeName>, which is <placeName xml:id="temp0188"
>Kedemoth</placeName> in the land of <placeName
xml:id="temp0189" >Sihon</placeName>. They are
faithful to each other, but a source of terror to their neighbours, killing even
kings at the cost of their own lives. The extent of their land is eight days'
journey. And they are at war with the sons of Edom who are called the Franks,
and with the ruler of <placeName xml:id="temp0190"
>Tripolis</placeName>, which is <placeName xml:id="temp0191"
>Tarabulus el Sham</placeName><note n="59"/>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN8S7">At <placeName xml:id="temp0192"
>Tripolis</placeName> in years gone by there was an earthquake, when many
Gentiles and Jews perished, for houses and walls fell upon them. There was great
destruction at that time throughout the <placeName xml:id="temp0193"
>Land of Israel</placeName>, and more than 20,000 souls perished<note n="60"
/>.</seg>
<pb n="28"/>
<seg xml:id="GN8S8">Thence it is a day's journey to the other <placeName
xml:id="temp0194" >Gebal
<gloss>Gubail</gloss></placeName>, which borders on the land of the children of Ammon, and
here there are about 150 Jews. The place is under the rule of the Genoese, the
name of the governor being <persName
>Guillelmus
Embriacus</persName><note n="61"/>. Here was found a temple belonging to the
children of Ammon in olden times, and an idol of theirs seated upon a throne or
chair, and made of stone overlaid with gold. Two women are represented sitting
one on the right and one on the left of it, and there is an altar in front
before which the Ammonites used to sacrifice and burn incense<note n="62"/>.
There are about 200 Jews there, at their head being <persName
>R. Meir</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-31fa1043-98e7-4e87-a046-27b18e5d4f61">R.
Jacob</persName>, and <persName
>R. Simchah</persName>.
The place is situated on the sea-border of the <placeName xml:id="temp0196" >land of
Israel</placeName>.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN8S9">From there it is two days' journey to <placeName
xml:id="temp0197" >Beirut</placeName>, or <placeName
xml:id="temp0198" >Beeroth</placeName>, where there are about
fifty Jews, at their head being <persName
>R. Solomon</persName>,
<persName xml:id="recogito-ec12aaa6-bc49-4aaf-ae4d-2e6b6726f3f9">R.
Obadiah</persName>, and <persName
>R. Joseph</persName>.
</seg><seg xml:id="GN8S10">Thence it is one day's journey to <placeName
xml:id="temp0199" >Saida</placeName>, which is <placeName
xml:id="temp0200" >Sidon</placeName>, a large city, with about
twenty Jews.</seg>
<pb n="29"/><seg xml:id="GN8S11"> Ten miles therefrom a people dwell who are at war
with the men of <span
>Sidon</span>; they are called Druses, and are pagans of a lawless
character. They inhabit the mountains and the clefts of the rocks; they have no
king or ruler, but dwell independent in these high places, and their border
extends to <placeName xml:id="temp0202" >Mount Hermon</placeName>,
which is a three days' journey. They are steeped in vice, brothers marrying
their sisters, and fathers their daughters. They have one feast-day in the year,
when they all collect, both men and women, to eat and drink together, and they
then interchange their wives<note n="63"/>. They say that at the time when the
soul leaves the body it passes in the case of a good man into the body of a
newborn child, and in the case of a bad man into the body of a dog or an ass.
Such are their foolish beliefs. There are no resident Jews among them, but a
certain number of Jewish handicraftsmen and dyers come among them for the sake
of trade, and then return, the people being favourable to the Jews. <pb n="30"/>
They roam over the mountains and hills, and no man can do battle with
them.</seg>
<seg xml:id="GN8S12">From <placeName >Sidon</placeName> it is half a
day's journey to <placeName xml:id="recogito-5ad3f8f7-9f85-4dea-8689-93e677b174d4"
>Sarepta <gloss>Sarfend</gloss></placeName>, which belongs to <placeName xml:id="temp203a"
>Sidon</placeName>. Thence it is a half-day to New <placeName
xml:id="temp0204"
>Tyre <gloss>S[=u]r</gloss></placeName>, which is a very fine city, with a
harbour in its midst. At night-time those that levy dues throw iron chains from
tower to tower, so that no man can go forth by boat or in any other way to rob
the ships by night. There is no harbour like this in the whole world. <placeName xml:id="temp0205"
>Tyre</placeName> is a beautiful city. It contains about 500 Jews, some of
them scholars of the Talmud, at their head being <persName
>R. Ephraim</persName>
of <placeName xml:id="recogito-9bfce090-2ac5-48b8-9331-481bbde0ab19"
>Tyre</placeName>, the Dayan, <persName
>R. Meir</persName> from
<placeName xml:id="temp0206" >Carcassonne</placeName>, and
<persName xml:id="recogito-a124e45f-af8e-4078-b8d0-a26223b9a3d1">R.
Abraham</persName>, head of the congregation. The Jews own sea-going
vessels, and there are glass-makers amongst them who make that fine Tyrian
glass-ware which is prized in all countries. In the vicinity is found sugar of a
high class, for men plant it here, and people come from all lands to buy it<note
n="64"/>. A man can ascend the walls of New <placeName xml:id="temp0207"
>Tyre</placeName> and see <placeName xml:id="temp0208"
>ancient Tyre</placeName>, which the sea has now covered, lying at
a stone's throw from the new city. <pb n="31"/> And should one care to go forth
by boat, one can see the castles, market-places, streets, and palaces in the bed
of the sea. <placeName xml:id="temp0209" >New Tyre</placeName>
is a busy place of commerce, to which merchants flock from all quarters.
</seg></ab>
<ab xml:id="GeoNar9"><seg xml:id="GN9S1">One day's journey brings one to <placeName
xml:id="temp0210" >Acre</placeName>, the <placeName xml:id="temp0211" >Acco</placeName> of old, which is on
the borders of Asher; it is the commencement of the <placeName xml:id="temp0212"